Subsurface Imaging, part of CGG’s Geoscience division, has been awarded a large-scale seismic imaging project in the offshore Orphan Basin in Eastern Canada by BHP. CGG said that in line with its continued investments in high-end imaging technology, supercomputing capacity and digitalization, the company will employ its industry-leading FWI and least-squares migration algorithms over the entire survey area of more than 10,000 km². Through these advanced technologies and close collaboration with the client’s interpretation and imaging geophysicists, CGG fully commits to providing a step-change in subsurface imaging in a timely manner to support E&P investment decisions, CGG said.
Company Updates
Searcher announces Offshore Peru Multi-client Campaign
Searcher has reached agreement with Perupetro to produce four new multi-client projects as part of its Offshore Peru Multi-client Campaign. Searcher said this would be the first time any single company has presented the industry with the opportunity to interact with such an expansive collection of “highly enhanced exploration data which will have benefited from modern processing, interpretation and digitising techniques”.
CGG begins new 3D broadband survey in deepwater Brazil
CGG has commenced acquisition of Nebula 3D, a new, large, long-offset BroadSeis™ survey located in the Campos and Santos Basins, offshore Brazil. With an initial focus on Brazil’s 15th License Round blocks, the data is being acquired by the Geo Caribbean and a portion of the survey will provide 3D data coverage where no other 3D data currently exists. CGG said the company’s Geoscience’s Subsurface Imaging Centre in Rio will employ the latest, most advanced data processing techniques to deliver exceptional imaging of pre-salt structures in these prolific basins.
Shearwater completes survey over Shell’s Pensacola prospect
Shell, in conjunction with non-operated partner Cluff Natural Resources, has completed a 3D seismic survey extending to approximately 420 km2 over the Pensacola prospect on Licence P2252 in the Southern North Sea, offshore the UK. The survey, conducted by Shearwater GeoServices using the Polar Express, was completed on time and with no adverse incidents on 21 August, Cluff Natural Resources said. Under the farm-in agreement, Shell are paying 100% of costs of the seismic acquisition, processing and interpretation work programme until the end of 2020 or until a well investment decision is made.
Gorgon starts up massive CO2 injection system on Barrow Island
Chevron Australia and the Gorgon Joint Venture participants have announced the safe start-up and operation of the carbon dioxide injection system at the Chevron-led Gorgon natural gas facility on Barrow Island, off the northwest coast of Western Australia. Chevron Australia managing director Al Williams said: “We are pleased to reach the first milestone of safely starting the operation of the Gorgon carbon dioxide injection system, one of the world’s largest greenhouse gas mitigation projects ever undertaken by industry.
AGS sets OBN production records in the North Sea
Norwegian ocean bottom node seismic company AGS has announced a number of seismic production records during an Utsira multi-client ocean-bottom node (OBN) seismic program. AGS said that this season’s Utsira multi-client ocean-bottom node (OBN) program, in conjunction with TGS, began on Saturday, July 3 and delivered a new company record marine source count in a single day. The crew achieved recording more than 50,000 marine sources in what was one milestone of a record seven-day acquisition window in all areas of the OBN program in the North Sea.
More gas will be needed to offset State’s renewable energy splurge, says Blue Energy
Queensland and NT explorer Blue Energy has weighed into Australia’s power struggle, saying the company believes the “misguided headlong rush” into renewable energy’s role in the national power grid will both stimulate gas exploration and spike energy prices in the country. In it’s June quarter activities report released recently, Blue Energy managing director John Phillips commented that despite the May federal election providing continuity of Government, the States still hold the balance of power when it comes to energy source, supply and distribution.
Woodside energy stimulus for WA mining
Woodside has entered into a long-term gas sale and purchase agreement with Worsley Alumina Joint Venture for the supply of approximately 40 PJ of pipeline gas. The gas is being supplied to the joint venture from Woodside’s portfolio of domestic gas facilities, including the North West Shelf, Pluto and Wheatstone. Worsley Alumina Joint Venture is held by South32 (86%), Japan Alumina Associates (10%) and Sojitz (4%). Woodside Executive Vice President Marketing Trading & Shipping, Reinhardt Matisons welcomed the agreement to supply gas to the Worsley Alumina integrated mining and refining complex in Western Australia’s south west.
Hibiscus to decide on Gippsland exploration with 3D Oil
Malaysian oil and gas independent Hibiscus Petroleum has secured an option to become a joint venture partner with 3D Oil to acquire up to a 50 per cent non-operated interest in the VIC/P74 permit in the offshore Gippsland Basin. Hibiscus announced this development to the market after 3D Oil was awarded the permit for VIC/P74 last week by the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator (NOPTA). The 1006km2 permit is located on the southern side of the Gippsland Basin, adjacent to the world class Kingfish oilfield.
Path ‘now clear for NT onshore shale gas exploration’
Santos has welcomed the company’s approval for the first Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to be awarded for onshore shale gas exploration in the Northern Territory since the moratorium was lifted in early 2018. NT Environment and Natural Resources Minister Eva Lawler approved Santos’ Drilling EMP for the Tanumbirini 2H and Inacumba 1/1H wells in Exploration Permit 161 in the McArthur Basin, east of Daly Waters. Santos is operator of, and has a 75 per cent interest in, the permit.